Worked solution
Construct a plane parallel to a line and measure their separation
Line l is , and plane p1 is . Plane p1 contains l.
(i) Show a=1. marks
Plane p2 passes through E=(−2,−5,8) and meets p1 in l.
(ii) Find the Cartesian equation of p2. marks
(iii) Find N, the perpendicular foot from E to p1. marks
Plane p3 contains E,N and does not intersect l.
(iv) Find its Cartesian equation. Hence find the distance from l to p3. marks
[2012/AJC/Promo/10(modified)]
CJC · Review problems · Question 5
Answer
a=1; p2:; N=(4,−1,6); p3:; distance .
(i) Use a point on the contained line
. Since lies on p1, , so a=1.
(ii) Cross directions in p2
With A=(1,−2,−5) on l, . A normal is . Using E, , hence p2:.
(iii) Intersect a normal through E with p1
. In p1, . Thus , , μ=2 and N=(4,−1,6).
(iv) Build the nonintersecting parallel plane
Because p3 contains EN and must be parallel to l without containing it, take its normal as . Through E, , equivalently p3:.
(iv) Project a separating displacement
Use A on l and E on p3. Their difference is . The separation is
It is nonzero, confirming l is parallel to but not contained in p3.
Common mistakes
A line parallel to a plane may lie in it; the nonzero separation confirms the requested no-intersection condition.
Solution notes
All printed asks, cross products, foot equations and distance calculation retained. No source figures.